Why '90s Bands, Like Pearl Jam, Are Still Relevant

Rock would be dead if '90s alternative rock bands called it quits. So why has it become cool to hate on them and discredit their relevance? We all know complainers who claim they don't know why they still attend Pearl Jam shows, yet purchase the band's new album and keep coming back for more.

Are people just attending concerts out of habit or nostalgia? With the cost of most big time rock concerts being $80 and up, especially after ticketing fees and parking, we think not. Pearl Jam still packs stadiums like it's 1996. In February, Pearl Jam became Chicago's Wrigley Field fastest concert sell-out ever. Ever. Other alt rock bands, like the Foo Fighters, NIN and Red Hot Chili Peppers have a similar success. These bands prove their relevancy each time they release a new album and it tops the charts. Pearl Jam's Lightning Bolt debuted at Number 1 on Billboard Top 200 and sold over 165,000 in the first week to people who are still craving alt rock.

Most '90s band members are in their mid-forties and have children. They're no longer playing shows drunk or getting high with fans; some barely enter paparazzi radar. What these bands are doing, however, is giving more back to their fans. They're playing longer shows; offering enhanced concert experiences; and collaborating with other musicians, which is why it's still worth it to attend a concert of a '90s band.

Yes, you can predict Eddie Vedder's stage moves, but that shouldn't stop you from attending a Pearl Jam concert. Vedder's vocals sound as poignant as ever and the band performs upwards to 34 songs per concert, a vast contrast to newer bands, like Of Monsters and Men who generally only play 15 songs live, simply because don't have enough tracks in their Rolodex. Also since '90s bands have a larger catalog of songs, their set lists are more unique which allows you to enjoy multiple shows per tour. If merch matters to you, '90s bands usually can afford to produce more collectible items, like DMB's posters for example, which can be minor investments. And bonus: The crowd at a '90s band concert usually consists primarily of people in their 30s (and up) who have retired from being obnoxious crowd-surfers or uber territorial pit bitches.